As an outdoor leader, I always find summers end to bring a time of debriefing and rest. Summer, while amazing and full of adventure, can be quite draining. Leading others into the wilderness is physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding. This rest is welcome...

Church-based outdoor ministries have shown to be effective and successful. True North is a Western Canadian based church that uses creation to point to the Creator. This church believes in the power of the outdoors so much that it has rearranged its entire format to...

What are the criteria for setting up an authentic wilderness experience? This has actually been researched… In 1996, wilderness and outdoor education specialists gathered at the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Bradford Woods, Indiana, to explore the...

I look forward to summer all year long because it means more camping around a campfire. Campfires are a great tool to gather people and get to know them better. Whether you are leading at a summer camp or taking out your youth group or your family on a campout this...

Confusion and impotence are the inevitable results when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit. – Samuel Chadwick Why am I so con·fu·sed? Being confused is one of the most common and most unsettling of...

3Jesus said some radical things in his time. Yet few of his sayings were more radical than what he said about his true family: My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice. (Luke 8:21) Jesus was a man who loved, respected, and...

One of the most important details to consider in leading groups outdoors is the content you will teach. What does your group need to learn or process right now? What themes will I stress throughout the camp or retreat? Depending on the church you want to serve or the...

Choose to be a Life-Long Learner To lead others in the outdoors safely and effectively you have to give equal attention outdoor ministry soft skills and hard skills. Whether you are new to the field of outdoor ministry or a 30 year guru, learning never stops. The...

Jesus captivated the imagination of his audience, but he also motivated them to change. He did this by creating a thirst for learning so they would actually “hear” what he was saying. Thirst cannot be satisfied if you are not yet thirsty. Like the thirst created by...

There is nothing more scary than a selfish child becoming a selfish adult. If we don’t teach our kids a right attitude toward material possessions, then we may be setting them up for a big fall later in life. As the old adage goes, “The bigger they are the...